The Political Union & Review at NYU is holding its second debate of semester tonight on Afghanistan.

The debate will start at 8pm in room 101 of 19 W.4th (that is main lecture hall in the politics building). Speakers for the event have not been announced yet. Participation by those who attend is encouraged, even if you have no formal experience in debating. I will be livetweeting the event on @NYULocal from start to finish.

US strategy in Afghanistan is still largely undefined by the Obama administration. Obama authorized the deployment 21,000 more troops in the region this year, despite a lack of public approval for scaling up the war. Commander of US Forces in Afghanistan, Gen. McChrystal, requested another 68,000 troops — a move supported by other NATO members. Journalists who reporting from the ground in Afghanistan harbor little hope for a peaceful resolution to the country’s problems. Just this morning, 14 Americans died in Afghanistan in two different helicopter crashes.

Evidently, there are a number strong, well-substantiated stances to take on Afghanistan. Ned’s report and response to PURNYU’s first debate, on health care a fortnight ago, sparked its own riveting discussion of the issue in the comments thread. We are looking forward to more of the same.